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Over 50s
Further help from charities and not-for-profit organisations for over 50s
National and local charities and other not-for-profit organisations are a source of help, advice and support for older people and their carers. They can also help you to continue living independently in your own home.
Major charities for older people
Some large national charities, like Help the Aged and Age Concern, have local branches and offer a wide range of services and social activities.
Help the Aged
Help the Aged offers a wide range of services to older people.
You can get free, confidential advice about claiming benefits and other entitlements like bus passes, from Help the Aged's free telephone advice line, SeniorLine, on 0808 800 6565, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday.
SeniorLink is an immediate response service provided by Help the Aged. The SeniorLink service is a base unit with a button on it. When you need help and want to talk to someone, you press a button on the unit or the accompanying pendant or wrist strap.
HandyVan is a home security service, where trained fitters visit your home and install fittings like door chains and viewers, window locks and smoke detectors. The service is free to those who meet the eligibility criteria.
Age Concern
Age Concern is a UK charity for older people. It operates a wide range of local services through a network of branches. Services vary from place to place but those available in your area may include:
- lunch clubs
- exercise classes
- emotional support services like counselling and visiting services
- practical support at home like home help and help with gardening
- activities outside the home like outings
- computer training and internet use
- information and advice
The Age Concern free information line is 0800 00 99 66 and can provide general information and help from 8.00 am to 7.00 pm, every day of the year.
Age Concern also operates an immediate response personal alarm service called Aid-Call, which is similar to Help the Ageds SeniorLink service. Unlike SeniorLink, Aid-Call is available to everyone with no means testing but most people will have to pay for the service.
To find out more, you can call the Aid-Call enquiry line on freecall 0800 772 266 from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Citizens Advice Bureau
You can get free, independent advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), regardless of your age.
Citizens Advice Bureaux are staffed by trained volunteers, who can give you advice on a wide range of matters, including:
- how to manage and reduce debt
- benefits and taxes
- housing
- legal matters
- discrimination
- consumer problems
The CAB also provides advice online through the Adviceguide website. The website contains independent advice on your rights and directs you to other sources of specialist advice if you need more help.
Other local charities
Local charities may offer help with specific circumstances or a concern personal to you.
There are too many smaller, regional charities to list, but the Charitynet website brings together the websites of non-profit organisations across the world. There are clear instructions on how to use the website to find the information you need.
The Charity Commission
The Charity Commission is established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales. If you're concerned about using a charity's services or making a donation, you can check that a charity has legal status (by registering with the commission). Or perhaps you are interested in becoming a charity trustee? The website will give you useful information.
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